The Stanford Name History
This Locational surName is of Anglo-Saxon origin.
It is from Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, etc.
from Olde English stan-Stone and ford-Ford; hence, Stony Ford.
The places are recorded as "Stanford" and "Stanforda" (DomesDay Book, 1086)

Locational surnames were given to LandOwners, to Lords of the Manor
and were used as ID for those who settled elsewhere.

Early examples of the surname include:
Symon de Stanford (Huntingdonshire, 1275),
Florentia de Stanforde (Somerset, 1327) and
Sir William Stanford or Staunford (1509 - 1558), Judge.
One of the earliest Stanfords to settle in America
is Richard Stanford, who left London on the "Primrose",
bound for Virginia in 1635.

The First recorded Spelling of the name is Adam de Stanford,
(1273, in Oxfordshire) during the reign of King Edward I,
known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Stanford